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1 INTRODUCTION

The rich history of Gdynia Maritime University

started with the document signed on 17th June 1920

by Gen. Józef Leśniewski, by which the Maritime

School in Tczew was set up. The organizers of the

first Polish Maritime School strongly believed that the

education of future officers of the merchant fleet must

be realized, first of all, during sea-deep voyages.

Thus, it was necessary to purchase the appropriate

ship. The Polish flag was hoisted on the training ship,

named “Lwów”, on 4th September 1921 and the

School inaugurated its activities in two faculties:

Navigation Faculty and Marine Engineering Faculty.

In 1930 the decision was made to move the

Maritime School from Tczew to Gdynia. In the

academic year 1930/1931 the “Lwów” with its

distinguished service was replaced by another

training sailing ship “Dar Pomorza”. In 1938 the

Faculty of Transport and Maritime Administration

was established. Gradually, new faculties were

created and new specializations were introduced; so

at the end of 60s of last century the School had in its

structure three faculties: Navigation Faculty, Marine

Engineering Faculty and Administration-Economic

Faculty.

Figure 1. Main building of Maritime School in Tczew, 1920

In 1958 the State Maritime School obtained the

status of post-secondary technical higher school and

The 100th Anniversary of GMU - From Tczew Maritime

School to Gdynia Maritime University

A. Weintrit & A. Czarnecka

Gdynia Maritime University, Gdynia, Poland

ABSTRACT: This year the 8th of December was very important date for Gdynia Maritime University. It was the

100th anniversary of the ceremonial opening of the Maritime School in Tczew and the flag-raising of the Polish

Merchant Navy on the school building. Over the course of the century, the name and location of the University

has changed, but one thing that has remained unchanged to this day is the serving of the Polish sea. 2020 is also

a special year for all the world affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, the restrictions in force

introduced changes to the program on the 100th Anniversary of GMU. In the changed formula, the celebrations

on December 8, was held according to the modified plan adopted by the University.

http://www.transnav.eu

the International Journal

on Marine Navigation

and Safety of Sea Transportation

Volume 14

Number 4

December 2020

DOI: 10.12716/1001.14.04.30

1018

ten years later it merged with the State School of the

Deep Sea Fishing. At last, in 1968 the School became

the Maritime Academy. At that time the Academy

could educate students in four faculties, in 16

specializations. Two new training ships started their

operation: in 1982 the beautiful sailing ship “Dar

Młodzieży” and in 2000 the modern research and

transport training ship “Horyzont II”.

Nowadays, Gdynia Maritime University has four,

rapidly expanding faculties: Electrical Engineering,

Management and Quality Science, Marine

Engineering and Navigation. All the Faculties enable

the university to develop and perform its scientific

and didactic activities in the 9 fields of studies, in 43

specializations. They are also all authorized to grant a

doctor degree.

2 CELEBRATIONS OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY

OF GMU

The Year 2020 was very important date for Gdynia

Maritime University. This year the 8th of December It

was the 100th anniversary of the ceremonial opening

of the Maritime School in Tczew and the flag-raising

of the Polish Merchant Navy on the school building.

Over the course of the century, the name and location

of the University has changed, but one thing that has

remained unchanged to this day is the serving of the

Polish sea.

2020 was also a special year for all the world

affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The

restrictions in force introduced changes to the

program on the 100th Anniversary of GMU. In the

changed formula, the celebrations on December 8,

were held according to the plan adopted by the

University.

The solemn session of the Senate on the occasion

of the traditional School Anniversary and the 100th

Anniversary of Polish Maritime Education was

convened in the remote mode. That was an

opportunity to present awards and orders of merits

for considerable service for the development

maritime education and GMU were presented.

Figure 2. Symbolic wreath thrown into the Gulf of Gdańsk

from the deck of the training ship Horyzont II during the

annual Memorial Appeal, Dec. 8, 2020

At the Pomeranian wharf, at the mooring point of

Dar Młodzieży, a Memorial Appeal was held to

honor all those who gone for the eternal watch. With

this solemn memorial, we remembered the directors,

lecturers, employees, students and graduates of the

Maritime School in Tczew and the Gdynia Maritime

University, who are no longer with us, and who have

become part of the 100-year history of the University.

After reading the Memorial Appeal, organized

every year to commemorate the fallen, murdered,

missing and deceased students, lecturers and

graduates of the University, Rector prof. Adam

Weintrit, Secretary of State in the Ministry of

Infrastructure Marek Gróbarczyk and Chaplain of the

Gdynia Maritime University, Fr. Edward Pracz threw

the symbolic wreath into the Gulf of Gdańsk from the

deck of the training ship Horyzont II.

On the occasion of the anniversary, we received

best wishes and congratulations from universities and

institutions cooperating with the GMU.

Special thanks go to:

− Secretary General of the International Association

of Maritime Universities (IAMU),

− President of Shanghai Maritime University,

− Rector of Hochschule Bremerhaven,

− Rector of Pîrî Reis Üniversity,

− Rector of Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy,

− Rector of National University "Odessa Maritime

Academy",

− Rector Commandant of Polish Naval Academy,

− Rector of Academia de pesca e Cincias do Mar do

Namibe,

− President of Arab Academy of Science,

Technology and Maritime Transport,

− Chairman of the Conference of Rectors of Polish

Universities of Technology, Rector of the Silesian

University of Technology,

− Rector of Batumi State Maritime Academy,

− Rector of Gdańsk University of Technology,

− Rector of Constanta Maritime University,

− Rector of Warsaw University of Technology,

− Rector of Tallinn University of Technology,

− Rector of Hochschule Wismar University of

Applied Sciences Technology, Business and

Design,

− The Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores

University,

− President and Rector of Satakunta University of

Applied Sciences,

− Rector of AGH University of Science and

Technology in Cracow,

− Secretary General of the International

Hydrographic Organization (IHO).

3 GDYNIA MARITIME UNIVERSITY (GMU)

Gdynia Maritime University is the largest state school

of higher maritime education in Poland and one of

the largest in Europe. Since 1920 the University has

been preparing graduates for officer positions on

board merchant marine vessels and for managerial

positions at the land-based institutions and

companies representing the maritime industry and

seaside regions. The University four Faculties offer

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degree in Navigation, Management and Quality

Science, Marine Engineering, and Electrical

Engineering. Currently, the Gdynia Maritime

University educates over 5,000 students.

The programs of studies satisfy both Polish

educational standards provided by the Ministry of

Education and also the requirements of the

International Maritime Organization – IMO. The

academic staff – representing doctor of science degree

and scientific titles of a professor accompanied, in

many cases, by the highest marine diplomas of a

Master Mariner and Chief Engineer – supported by

the laboratory facilities offering 25 specialised

simulators and ISO 9001:2015 education quality

management system implemented by the University.

Figure 3. Main building of Gdynia Maritime University,

2020, Gdynia, Morska Str. 81

The Maritime University actively co-operates in

the conduct of joint research projects, preparation of

young generation academic staff and in the exchange

of students with several dozen of maritime

institutions of higher education within international

organisations such as: European University

Association (EUA) and International Association of

Maritime Universities (IAMU).

The new strategy for further growth and

development adopted by the Senate of Gdynia

Maritime University will ensure the strengthening of

the University role as a worldwide marine oriented

centre of studies and training preparing professionals

– citizens of the World.

4 ROUND-THE-WORLD INDEPENDENCE SAIL

The centenary of Poland's reappearance on the map

of Europe turned out to be the moment when the idea

of the great cruises of Dar Młodzieży around the

world gained widespread approval and government

support. The role of an ambassador was given to the

Dar Młodzieży – a genuinely Polish tall ship, built by

the Gdansk Shipyard, with her homeport in Gdynia

and manned with Polish crew. Throughout her 36

years of service, she trained a massive number of

cadets who are employed all over the world on board

ships. Combining the anniversary with a visit to

Panama during the World Youth Day strengthened

and elevated the symbolic importance of that’s

undertaking.

The voyage was commenced on May 20, 2018 and

completed on March 28, 2019.

It was undoubtedly one of the greatest cruises in

the history of the Dar Młodzieży, and even more

broadly speaking in the history of the white and red

flag. The sailing ship covered 38,000 nautical miles,

having embarked nearly 1,000 young people in total

throughout the period of 313 days - students of

maritime schools and winners of the national

qualifying competition.

The Independence Sail undertaking aimed at

meeting several goals. The first and the foremost one

was to promote our country in the context of the

centenary of Poland’s independence. Entrusting Dar

Młodzieży with the task was a very strong point of

the whole project. A sailing ship having hundreds of

young people on board in total at subsequent stages

of the journey, was an attraction herself wherever she

entered a port on the route. Together, they spread a

clear message about Poland as a country with well-

established maritime traditions, open to the world,

having rich history and deeply rooted in the history

of Europe.

The crucial role of ambassadors was played by

two major groups of young people. The most

numerous group made the students of Gdynia

Maritime University. Together with a smaller group

of maritime secondary school students, they were

undergoing seamanship training, which is an

obligatory element of their maritime education. It was

supplemented by groups of young people from all

over Poland - winners of the qualifying competition.

The students were divided into 8 groups and they

exchanged one another as the route progressed. A

total of 1,000 students took part in the project.

The Dar Młodzieży called at 23 ports – excluding

the homeport of Gdynia. From Tallinn to

Copenhagen, then the Norwegian fjords of the

Stavanger region and ... return to Poland, to Szczecin,

to take part in the World Maritime Day Parallel Event

being the biggest maritime event of the United

Nations and IMO (International Maritime

Organization). And from that moment "Dar

Młodzieży" headed towards the Great Circle crossing

the Danish Straits, calling at Bremerhaven, Bordeaux,

and Santa Cruz in the Canary Islands. In each of the

ports, a special setting - meetings with representatives

of local authorities, performances promoting the

independence message of the cruise, active

participation of Polish community living abroad and

sightseeing of the ship.

On the way to Cape Town, having crossed the

equator for the first time during the passage, the Dar

Młodzieży entered the southern hemisphere for

several months. There, the neophytes experienced the

Equatorial baptism being an old maritime ritual. King

Neptune and his companions visited the vessel and

those who had never crossed the Equator before

underwent sophisticated torture. During the trip,

Neptune boarded the white frigate for the second

time in October between Borneo and Sumatra, before

the arrival in Singapore and return to the northern

hemisphere.

In the Far East scenery - from Jakarta, through

Singapore, Hong Kong - on the day of the hundredth

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anniversary of regaining independence, they reached

Osaka. That was the third visit of our sailing ship to

this Japanese port. The earlier calls had taken place in

1983 and 1997. This time, the centenary of Poland’s

Independence was celebrated with the sounds of the

national anthem of Poland - "Dąbrowski's Mazurka",

also known by its incipit, "Poland Is Not Yet Lost"

and ubiquitous white and red colours.

After saying goodbye to Japan, "Dar Młodzieży"

started her longest ocean stage of this expedition -

across the Pacific to the ports of the west coast of the

United States. After 32 days she arrived in San

Francisco covering the distance of 5,311 nautical

miles. For the first time in his history the tall ship

visited the ports of California - San Francisco and Los

Angeles where they spent the Christmas Eve. The

New Year's Eve was celebrated on the way to

Mexican Acapulco. The culmination of the trip -

World Youth Day was held in Panama. The crew

comprised of students and winners of the

competition participated in that extraordinary all-

world meeting. The crew delegation was received by

His Holiness Pope Francis.

Figure 4. GMU’s tall Ship Dar Młodzieży

Panama opened the return stage. Heading towards

the Atlantic waters they visited Cartagena and

Florida. Two more stops in the Bahamas and

Madeira, and on March 13, 2019 at 21.25, in the

English Channel, the sailing ship, after traveling 32

487 nautical miles, closed the loop around the world,

cutting the course on June 24, 2018.

The twenty-third port of call being the last foreign

port on the route of the Independence Sail was

London. Ahead of the ship there was only the

homeport of Gdynia. On March 28, 2019, in a fairy-

tale scenery, the vessel emerged from an

exceptionally thick fog just beside the quay ending

the longest passage in her history known as the

Independence Sail.

The university is currently run by newly-elected

authorities. The elections took place at a symbolic

moment - the hundredth anniversary of the

establishment of Polish maritime education, and also

the hundredth anniversary of Poland's memorable

Marriage to the Sea in Puck - a ceremony celebrating

Poland’s regaining access to the Baltic Sea. The entry

into the second century has coincided with

unprecedented challenges of a global nature, both in

the sphere of politics, economy, social unrest or

climate problems requiring solidarity of the whole

civilization. The Gdynia Maritime University, as a

recognized scientific, research and educational

institution with its intellectual potential and facilities,

has a significant role to complete in this complex

reality. The solemn session of the Senate on the

occasion of the traditional School Anniversary and

the 100th Anniversary of Polish Maritime Education

was convened in the remote mode. That was an

opportunity to present awards and orders of merits

for considerable service for the development

maritime education and GMU were presented.

5 GMU FACULTIES

At present, the academic programmes of GMU are

organized into four faculties constituting the basic

scientific–educational units:

− Faculty of Electrical Engineering,

− Faculty of Marine Engineering,

− Faculty of Navigation, , and

− Faculty of Management and Quality Science

(former names: Faculty of Entrepreneurship and

Quality Science and Faculty of Administration).

The faculties are composed of departments that

conduct research and educational activities within

their profiles of studies.

5.1 Faculty of Electrical Engineering

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering comprises of 4

departments:

− Department of Ship Automation,

− Department of Marine Electrical Power

Engineering,

− Department of Marine Electronics,

− Department of Marine Telecommunications.

The Faculty offers its students varied and modern

research and teaching infrastructure that is upgraded

in response to the latest technological developments.

Lecture halls that are equipped with the state-of-the

art audio-visual equipment and laboratories with new

generation devices and instruments as well as the free

access to the Internet ensure excellent conditions to

conduct both scientific research and teaching

processes. Among a wide variety of modern

laboratory equipment it is necessary to enumerate:

the ship automatic control system simulator and the

physical model of the shipboard electrical power

plant facilitating teaching, research and testing works

on new solutions in ship power generation systems,

the GMDSS marine communication system simulator

that is a complete, real console of this system, objects

for real-life satellite communications, devices for

prototyping electronic systems as well as computer

and network hardware to realise, among others, the

Cisco Networking Academy program. Moreover,

within the project RIDAM, financed by the European

funds, new laboratories of the Faculty of Marine

Electrical Engineering were created and fully

equipped. The obtained funds allowed starting the

following laboratories:

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− Laboratory of Renewable Sources of Energy,

− Laboratory of Virtualisation of Operational

Systems and Computer Networks,

− Laboratory of Microwave Technology,

− Laboratory of Satellite Radio Communications,

− Laboratory of Optoelectronics, Photovoltaics and

Fibre Optics,

− Laboratory of GMDSS,

− Laboratory of Electromagnetic Compatibility of

Radio Communications Systems,

− Workshop of Computer Design and Simulation,

− Laboratory of Automation of Ship Energy

Systems,

− Laboratory of Measurement and Control Systems,

− Laboratory of Microprocessor Measurement and

Control Sets.

5.1.1 Education at the Faculty of Electric Engineering

The basic aim of Gdynia Maritime University has

always been to educate highly qualified personnel for

maritime industries. Professional careers of this

Faculty graduates have been pursued in this specific

direction for many years. The Faculty educates

electrical engineers, specialists in operation of ship

and land-based electrical equipment and automatic

control systems. It also educates electronics engineers,

specialists in designing and operation of electronic

circuits, facilities and systems dedicated for land-

based, sea and ship communications systems as well

as stationary and mobile telecommunication and

computer tele-informatics networks.

Figure 5. One of the laboratory at Faculty of Electrical

Engineering

The graduates in marine specialisations are

prepared for positions on ships of the merchant fleet

as shipboard electroautomation engineers or

shipboard radio electronics and electronics engineers.

The academic staff of the Faculty consists of 19

professors, 11 assistant professors, 13 lecturers and 24

assistants. As many as 13 persons of the staff hold

Marine Diplomas and Certificates of Competency

authorising them to take officer positions on ships of

the merchant fleet.

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering conducts

full- and part-time studies of I- and II-cycle (engineer

and master) and III-cycle studies (doctoral studies).

Two cycles studies (I- and II-), both full-time and

part-time, are realised in two fields: Electrical

Engineering and Electronics and

Telecommunications.

The field of Electrical Engineering realises

education in the following specializations’:

− Ship Electroautomation,

− Computer Control Systems,

− Electroautomation.

The field of Electronics and Telecommunications

offers studies in the following specialisations:

− Marine Electronics,

− Data Communications Systems and Networks,

− Marine Electronics and Automation,

− Electronic, Optoelectronic and Microwave

Systems.

In addition, from the academic year 2018/2019 at

UM Gdynia, a new one-level study program -

Informatics is carried out, implemented in two

specialisations:

− Internet and Mobile Applications

− Internet of Things Applications

5.1.2 Scientific research at the Faculty of Electric

Engineering

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering maintains

contacts and develops cooperation with the faculties

of other Polish universities of the similar profile of

scientific and didactic interests. The forms of

cooperation include: graduation with doctor degrees,

exchange of experience, consulting teaching

programmes and offering students the free access to

unique laboratories of each particular university. An

essential form of this cooperation is participation of

the academic staff of other universities in scientific

seminars organised by the Faculty Departments.

Representatives of the Faculty participate in a number

of consultancy bodies such as National Conventions

of Deans of Electrical Faculties of Polish technical

universities. Many of the Faculty staff also participate

in the work of national and foreign scientific

organisations.

Particular Departments, depending on their

scientific profiles, develop international cooperation

with foreign academic and research centres.

Representatives of the Faculty also participate in the

work of, inter alia: the Institute of Electrical and

Electronic Engineers (IEEE), the Institution of

Engineering and Technology (IET), the International

Centre for Engineering Education (a UNESCO

agency), IMO–COMSAR and STCW Subcommittees

and the International Mobile Satellite Organisation

(IMSO).

The cooperation with foreign centres results in

joint realisation of scientific and research projects,

joint presentations in international conferences, co-

organisation of conferences and exchanges of

employees and students.

The Vice-Rectors of three biggest universities of

technical profile in Tricity signed on 17th December

2015 an agreement that they will jointly create and

conduct II-cycle studies within interuniversity,

interdisciplinary field of Space and Satellite

Technologies. These studies will be realised jointly by

the selected organisational units of Gdańsk

University of Technology, Gdynia Maritime

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University and the Polish Naval Academy, including

among others the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of

GMU. It has been planned that the studies will start

in the spring semester of the academic year 2016/2017

and will last three semesters. The new field of studies

is a response to the demand of modern companies of

the space and satellite engineering sector, which are

being set up in the country and the Pomeranian

Region as well as the Polish Space Agency established

in Gdańsk in 2015 for experts qualified to cope with

challenges connected with the development of this

sector.

Gdynia Maritime University is an important

educational and scientific partner of the company

Navimor International Com. in the big international

project to create and start operation of the Fishing

and Sea Sciences Academy in Namibe, Angola. The

Faculty of Electrical Engineering of GMU

significantly contributed to realisation of this project.

During the first stage of the project (2008‒2010)

scientists from GMU elaborated the organisational

concept and operation plans for the Academy from

the didactic and scientific point of view and they also

prepared overall plans and teaching curricula. The

second stage (2013‒2018) involves research and

development works of the engineering-technical and

expert-consulting character, elaboration of a unique

series of 28 academic course books in the Portuguese

language dedicated to the selected subjects for 14

specialisations in three Faculties: Fishing, Fish

Processing and Water Resources of the Academy in

Namibe. This stage also means didactic cooperation

concerning education of future staff on II- and III-

cycle studies in GMU for the newly created Academy

in Namibe.

5.2 Faculty of Marine Engineering

Faculty of Marine Engineering is one of two oldest

faculties in Gdynia Maritime University (GMU). The

history of the Faculty dates back to the interwar

period, when, in 1920, the Maritime School was

established in Tczew, with two faculties: navigation

and marine engineering.

Nowadays the Faculty comprises of 4

departments:

− Department of Physics,

− Department of Marine Maintenance,

− Department of Engineering Sciences,

− Department of Marine Propulsion Plants.

The mission of the Faculty is to educate students

at the highest level and creating employees able to

effectively meet the challenges of modern maritime

transport and maritime economy in Poland and

abroad and to conduct scientific research related to

the construction and operation of technical systems in

maritime economy.

The Faculty of Marine Engineering of Gdynia

Maritime University is the first university faculty in

Poland to obtain and hold ISO 9001 quality certificate,

which is a guarantee of a high quality of education

and research.

Figure 6. One of the laboratory at Faculty of Maritime

Engineering

5.2.1 Education at the Faculty of Marine Engineering

The mission of the Faculty is to educate students

at the highest level and creating employees able to

effectively meet the challenges of modern maritime

transport and maritime economy in Poland and

abroad and to conduct scientific research related to

the construction and operation of technical systems in

maritime economy.

The Faculty offers courses in Mechanical

Engineering and Machine Design and providing

program of studies satisfying both Polish educational

standards established by the Ministry of Higher

Education and also the requirements of the

International Maritime Organization – IMO. We train

sea crews (in compliance with STCW 78/95) and

professionals employed with onshore industry

including repair technologies, operational

engineering and production engineering. The

graduates of marine specializations obtain a

certificate which entitles them to work aboard any

merchant vessel all over the world.

The framework of Mechanical Engineering and

Machine Design major includes first-degree

(engineer) and second-degree (master) studies

programmes in the following specializations:

1 First-degree (engineer):

Marine Propulsion Plant and Offshore

Construction Operation (marine specialization) –

also in English,

− Technology for Repairs of Ship and Port Units,

− Operational Engineering,

− Production Engineering.

2 Second-degree (master’s):

− Technology for Repairs of Ship and Port Units,

− Operational Engineering,

− Marine Propulsion Plant Operation 2 (marine

specialization).

During their first and second year of studies,

students are given maritime training aboard GMU

training ships: „Dar Młodzieży” and „Horyzont II”.

5.2.2 Scientific research at the Faculty of Marine

Engineering

The Faculty of Marine Engineering of Gdynia

Maritime University is the first university faculty in

Poland to obtain and hold ISO 9001 quality certificate,

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which is a guarantee of a high quality of education

and research.

The Faculty employees conduct following

scientific research:

− research into the role of foreign substances in

shaping light field in the marine environment.

− optimizing the conditions of petroleum products

degradation,

− analysis of correlations between technology

proceedings at sea and natural environment,

− properties of aluminium alloys and junction

connections applied in marine construction,

− evaluation of the possibility of using multiphase

shells produced with the use of welding

technologies for increasing the operating

durability of vessel machine and appliance parts,

− optimizing the parameters for technological

processes of surface treatment of marine machine

parts,

− research into the running-in process in terms of

temperature increase of the working system

elements in a machine tool,

− regeneration of machine appliance and machine

parts,

− hydrodynamic theory of lubrication,

− marine environment protection,

− research into vessel hull integrity while affected

by a blast wave as a result of non-contact

underwater detonation,

− theory of shells applied to marine constructions,

− analysis of working processes of combustion

engines,

− diagnostics of ship combustion engines,

− analysis of ship propulsion efficacy,

− simulation of ship propulsion processes,

− new generations of ship propulsion.

The faculty has modern didactic and scientific

laboratories and equipment, including engine room

simulators.

Figure 7. GMU training vessel Horyzont II

5.3 Faculty of Navigation

The Faculty of Navigation educates students in two

modern fields:

− Transport,

− Navigation.

At present the Faculty of Navigation offers studies

in the following specializations:

1 Marine specializations:

− Maritime Transport,

− Safety Management in Maritime Transport,

− Offshore Technologies.

2 Land specializations:

− Transport and Logistics,

− Maritime Transport and Logistics Systems

The aim of studies in the specialization of

Maritime Transport is to prepare highly qualified

experts in ship operation in maritime transport.

Graduates of this specialization obtain a diploma of

the accomplished studies and the degree of master

and engineer of marine navigator. After doing the

training which is strictly specified by the regulations,

they also obtain the diploma of officer and are

entitled to hold the officer and managerial posts on

ships in the deck department.

Nowadays the Faculty comprises of 4

departments:

− Department of Physics,

− Department of Marine Maintenance,

− Department of Engineering Sciences,

− Department of Marine Propulsion Plants.

The mission of the Faculty is to educate students

at the highest level and creating employees able to

effectively meet the challenges of modern maritime

transport and maritime economy in Poland and

abroad and to conduct scientific research related to

the construction and operation of technical systems in

maritime economy.

The Faculty of Marine Engineering of Gdynia

Maritime University is the first university faculty in

Poland to obtain and hold ISO 9001 quality certificate,

which is a guarantee of a high quality of education

and research.

5.3.1 Education at the Faculty of Navigation

The aim of studies in the Faculty of Navigation is

to prepare high class experts both in ship operation in

maritime transport and in organisation and operation

of transport systems including ports and the seagoing

fleet. The first group, after graduation and after

completing their ship training in compliance with the

relevant regulations, are awarded the Officer

Diploma licensing them to perform officer and

management functions on merchant ships in the deck

department. Comprehensive education

complemented with sea training enables graduates to

find a job with Polish or foreign ship owners, as well

as in companies in the maritime sector.

Studies realised in the field Transport aim at

educating highly qualified experts in transport and

logistics. Graduates obtain the degree of engineer (I-

cycle) and the degree of master (II-cycle) and find

employment in widely understood international

transport and freight forwarding industry. Thanks to

the acquired skills to solve complex tasks in transport

and logistics and extensive technical-managerial

knowledge acquired, including issues concerning

operation, functioning, control and management of

transport and logistics systems with the use of

modern methods and latest information technologies,

they are well prepared to take managerial positions in

the TSL sector, especially in companies operating in

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the land-sea structures of logistics chains and supply

chains.

The scientific-didactic staff includes: 22 professors,

21 assistant professors, 16 senior lecturers and

lecturers, and 28 assistants. 17 engineering and

technical staff support their work. Among the

academic teachers, due to the Faculty profile of

educating seagoing staff, there are 35 scientific-

didactic workers who hold Marine Diplomas and

Certificates of Competency authorising them to take

officer positions on merchant ships.

The Faculty provides full-time and part-time

studies within the system of I- and II-cycle (engineer

and master respectively). Moreover, it is authorised

to award a doctoral degree of technical sciences and a

post-doctoral degree of technical sciences in the

scientific discipline of Transport.

During their first and second year of studies,

students are given maritime training aboard GMU

training ships: „Dar Młodzieży”.

5.3.2 Scientific research at the Faculty of Navigation

The Faculty of Navigation conducts scientific

research works concerning the widely understood

topic of safety at sea and the issues associated with

ship, ship systems and port operations.

The Faculty can pride itself with numerous

innovative scientific research works and programmes

that have found their practical implementation. The

main areas of research and development work are

connected with governmental economic or social

programmes as well as with international

programmes for scientific and scientific-technical

cooperation.

The scientific and didactic activities of particular

Departments of the Faculty of Navigation are

characterised by high thematic diversity, which

results from a vast variety of specialisations.

Figure 8. Full Mission Bridge Simulator at Department of

Navigation

1 Department of Navigation

The Department multidisciplinary scientific and

research activities concern the issues related to the

generally understood safety in navigation, the

process of terrestrial navigation, astro-, radio- and

electronic navigation and navigation with new

generation navigational devices and electronic

navigational charts. Moreover, there are works

performed on modelling and optimisation of

transport processes as well as navigational

software design and testing. Department conducts

scientific research on development of navigational

systems, including GNSS, GIS, ECDIS, INS and e-

Navigation.

2 Department of ship operation

The scientific research works conducted by the

Department involves the areas of safety modelling

and reliability of search and rescue actions at sea.

Another area of interest are the issues concerning

ship propulsion and thrusters. In addition, the

Department performs works on cargo handling,

including the latest technologies, creating model

carriage instructions for various cargoes on

seagoing ships as well as management of safe ship

operation. The research concerns also the issues

related to manoeuvring ships of various

manoeuvring characteristics, protection of marine

environment against pollution as well as ship

stability and hull strength. Moreover, research and

scientific activities focus on the issues of maritime

law related to maritime trade turnover ‒

recodification of the Polish maritime law and legal

restrictions concerning international contracts.

3 Department of Geodesy and Oceanography

The scientific research activities of the Department

involve two scientific disciplines – geodesy and

cartography and oceanography. Within the

discipline of geodesy and cartography the main

areas of scientific research are the issues related to

satellite geodesy, higher geodesy and geodetic

astronomy, geographical information systems,

river information systems RIS, engineering

geodesy (railway geodesy) and hydrography.

Within the discipline of oceanography the

Department conducts scientific research on

interactions of the atmosphere and ocean taking

into consideration currently occurring climatic

changes. Three basins are of particular interest: the

Arctic ‒ because of hydroclimatic changes

occurring there, the Atlantic Ocean – because of

changeability and changes in weather and climatic

conditions and finally, the Baltic Sea – because of

changeability and changes in weather and

hydroclimatic conditions.

4 Department of Mathematics

The main area of scientific research work is the

theory of probability and mathematical statistics

with their applications in modelling reliability,

safety and systems operation, particularly

transport systems.

5 Department of Transport and Logistics

The scientific research activities are focused on

effectiveness and efficiency of operation and

development of transport and logistics systems in

their numerous spatial, technical, economic, legal-

administrative and social relations with the

national and international environment. The

works also concern the issues of transport with

regard to logistics chains and supply chains.

Special area of interest of the Department are

technical-technological and economic-regulatory

problems in the development of maritime

transport – in navigation and sea ports on the

European (EU) and global scale.

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5.3.3 National and international cooperation

Every two years the Faculty of Navigation

together with The Nautical Institute organises the

International Conference TransNav on Marine

Navigation and Safety of Sea transportation.

Scientific-didactic workers of particular Departments

participate in many international and national

congresses, symposia and conferences. These include

among others: IALA congresses, European

Navigation Conferences, European symposia GNSS,

ICCGS, ESREL, conferences on safety and reliability,

conferences on the role of navigation in securing

human activities at sea, conferences on sea traffic

engineering, conferences on maritime, inland and

road transport, and many others.

The Faculty staff is a member of many

organisations: Committee of Geodesy and Committee

of Transport of the Polish Academy of Sciences,

Navigation Safety Section of the IMO National

Centre, Sail Training Association Poland, the

Committee of Polar Research of the Polish Academy

of Sciences, the National Committee of the

Geographic and Nautological Competition. Some of

the Faculty staff are also members of such British

organisations as: The Royal Institute Of Navigation

and The Nautical Institute.

5.4 Faculty of Management and Quality Science

The Faculty of Management and Quality Science

educates students for onshore jobs in the maritime

economy and regional institutions. Its offer includes

I-cycle and II-cycle studies. The Faculty has the right

to grant doctoral degrees and post-doctoral degrees

in economic sciences within the scope of commodity

science.

Figure 9. Students rest on the aft deck of Dar Młodzieży.

Nowadays the Faculty comprises of 5

departments:

− Department of Commodity Science and Quality

Management,

− Department of Industrial Commodity Science and

Chemistry,

− Department of Information Systems,

− Department of Logistics and Transport Systems,

− Department of Management and Economics.

The mission of the Faculty is „to conduct scientific

research and commercialise its results and findings,

raise the quality of students’ education, cooperate

effectively with the economic surroundings and

create organisational conditions for development of

the academic community of the Faculty”.

5.4.1 Education at the Faculty of Management and

Quality Science

The Faculty of Management and Quality Science

educates students for onshore jobs in the maritime

economy and regional institutions. Its offer includes

I-cycle and II-cycle studies in two fields: Innovative

Economy and Quality Science.

The programmes of undergraduate (I-cycle)

studies in Innovative Economy include: Managerial

Economics, Business Informatics, Transport and

Logistics Systems, Tourism and Hospitality, Maritime

Economics and Logistics –studies in English

The programmes of post-graduate (II-cycle)

studies include: E-business, Innovation Manager,

Accounting and Finance, Transport and Logistics in

the Global Economy, International Trade, Transport

and Logistics – studies in English.

The programmes of undergraduate (I-cycle)

studies in Commodity Science include: Product

Manager, Commodity Science and Quality

Management, Food Services and Dietetics.

The programmes of post-graduate (II-cycle)

studies include: Commodity Science and Quality

Management, Nutrition and Dietetics, Water

Protection and Waste Management.

The programmes of post-graduate studies in

Management and Quality Science include: Logistics

and International Transport, Nutrition and Dietetics

Services, Project Management.

5.4.2 Scientific research at the Faculty of Faculty of

Management and Quality Science

The staff of the Faculty realise numerous scientific

and research projects, both national and within

international consortiums. The submitted project

proposals obtain support from the Ministry funds

(among others: National Science Centre) and are also

financed by the European programmes and

institutions (e.g. Horizon 2020, Interreg BSR, CBSS,

Swedish Institute).,

6 GMU MARITIME INSTITUTE

Maritime Institute (previously known as the Maritime

Institute in Gdańsk) became a research unit of the

university aimed at implementation of commercial

projects (outsourced, research and expert works),

projects financed from external sources (State,

European, international), and scientific projects and

research for the benefit of the marine economy and

associated sectors, including the energy, shipping and

seaports, maritime tourism, and cultural heritage.

The Maritime Institute (MI) became the Polish

offshore market leader in the field of environmental

surveys and development of environmental,

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geophysical, geological, and geotechnical

documentation for offshore investments, the wind

energy sector in particular. It is also a centre of

knowledge and competence, where information on

the needs and priorities of the maritime economy and

the use of marine resources (including marine space

management) is processed and evaluated.

Furthermore, this unit is active in various research

and development projects in the area of

environmental protection and marine resources and

water ecology including sea fisheries. The Institute

performs highly specialised laboratory tests in the

fields of chemistry, biology, and maritime

geotechnics, provides expertise on maritime

hydrotechnics, and operationalises artificial

intelligence in transport to optimise the logistics

process and promote ecological transport.

The structure of the Maritime Institute consists of

departments and divisions such as:

− Department of Marine Ecology (DME),

− Department of Economics and Law (DEL),

− Department of Maritime Geotechnics (DMG),

− Department of Maritime Hydrotechnics (DMH),

− Department of Operational Oceanography (DOO),

− Department of Environment Protection (DEP),

− Maritime Electronics Division (MED),

− Spatial Policy Division (SPD).

There are also three PCA accredited research

laboratories of the DEP, MED, and DMG, which

operate as parts of the Institute. The Maritime

Institute has adopted the Integrated Management

System based on the ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and

OHSAS 18001 Standards.

A key resource qualifying the Maritime Institute

to engage in the above-mentioned activities is its

research vessel – the multi-purpose oceanographic

research laboratory r/v Imor. The vessel is equipped

with state-of-the-art gear and measuring instruments,

maintained in perfect shape by a team of

mechatronics engineering technologists of the DOO.

Offshore surveys conducted by the Institute

require collecting and processing large amounts of

measurement data, which is why its disc array (of 1.0

PB capacity) operated by a strong team of software

developers and IT professionals focusing on the

analytical processes is an information centre of the

Institute.

Figure 10. Mockup of the planned new headquarters of the

GMU Maritime Institute, with location in Gdańsk next to

the fortress Wisłoujście

The MI operates its own Project Services Centre,

which supports its departments and divisions in the

research project development, application, and

project-accounting, especially in the case of projects

financed funded through EU programmes. In effect,

the Institute creates and supports international

research and development projects financed from

national and international funds, and becomes their

leader.

The programme for the development of offshore

wind energy in Poland, i.e. the sector in which

investments worth PLN 130 billion are planned for

the next few years, is one area of particular interest

for the Maritime Institute. Performing research,

developing cutting-edge methods of marine

environment analysis, supporting businesses and

authorities in the investment process, as well as

expanding capacities for the educational process in

favour of offshore wind energy are of priority

importance for the Maritime Institute in line with the

development strategy adopted by the Gdynia

Maritime University.

7 SHIP HANDLING RESEARCH AND TRAINING

CENTRE AT IŁAWA

The Ship Handling Research and Training Centre at

Iława is owned by the Foundation for Safety of

Navigation and Environment Protection, which is a

joint venture between the Gdynia Maritime

University, the Technical University of Gdansk and

the City of Iława.

Two main fields of activity of the Foundation are:

− Training in ship handling. Since 1980 more than

4800 ship masters and pilots from 40 countries

were trained at Iława Centre. The Foundation for

Safety of Navigation and Environment Protection,

being non-profitorganisation is reinvesting all

spare funds in new facilities and each year to the

existing facilities new models and new training

areas were added. Existing training models each

year are also modernised, that's why at present the

Centre represents a modern facility perfectly

capable to perform training on ship handling of

shipmasters, pilots and tug masters.

− Research on ship's manoeuvrability. Many

experimental and theoretical research programmes

covering different problems of manoeuvrability

(including human effect, harbour and waterway

design) are successfully realised at the Centre.

7.1.1 Research on Ships Manoeuvrability

The Foundation for Safety of Navigation and

Environment Protection offers consulting and

assistance in the design of ships.

The offer includes:

− prediction of manoeuvring characteristics in the

early design stage using computer simulation

based on own mathematical model;

− verification of manoeuvring characteristics

according to IMO requirements for which free

running model tests are usually applied.

1027

Research facilities of the Iława Centre are

particularly suitable to realisation of the process of

design and optimisation of waterway and harbour

layouts. Mock-ups of tested areas and free running

manned models are very effective in solving

problems of safe manoeuvring on restricted waters.

Desktop simulator technique, when needed, is also

applied.

7.1.2 Training in Ship Handling

Each year new items have been included into the

course programme, so that the actual programme

differs much from the training realised some years

ago. The new training areas together with

introduction of the new models of modern ships and

with the modernised and new equipment of other

training models give now the possibility of realisation

of the two stage training programme comprising

standard and advanced course. There is also a

possibility to introducing of specialised courses

focused on chosen problems of manoeuvrability or

including training on specific types of ships.

This was expected by several customers, for which

we offered until today only basic manned model

course on ship handling (organised according to

STCW 1995 Code and to A.960 Resolution). New

proposed training courses are introduced in order to

keep pace with the development of technology of

shipping and shipbuilding, introduction of new ship

types having different manoeuvring characteristics,

and fitted with new propulsion and control devices.

Figure 11. The Ship Handling Research and Training

Centre at Iława

Actually the below listed manned model courses

are available at Iława Training Centre. Programmes of

all courses may be extended - if possible - with

manoeuvres resulting from individual needs of

trainees.

− handling of large ships and ships with unusual

manoeuvring characteristics (basic level) –

duration 5 days; 2 versions: for masters and for

pilots;

− handling of large ships and ships with unusual

manoeuvring characteristics (advanced level) –

duration 5 days; 2 versions: for masters and for

pilots;

− handling of very large and ultra large container

vessels - duration 4 days;

− handling of LCCs and VLCCs – duration 3 days;

− handling of large container and ro-ro vessels –

duration 3 days;

− handling of large LNG carriers - duration 3 days;

− tug-ship cooperation – duration 3 days;

− offshore ship handling – duration 3 days;

− handling of twin screw ships – duration 3 days;

− emergency ship handling – duration 3 days;

− handling of ships equipped with podded

propulsion units – duration 3 days;

− handling of large PCCs - duration 3 days;

− handling ships equipped with high lift rudders -

duration 3 days.

8 EDUCATION AND TRAINING DURING

COVID-19

2020 was a special year for the entire world affected

by the coronavirus pandemic. The restrictions in force

have introduced changes not only to the program for

the 100th anniversary of AMG, but most of all they

changed the approach to many problems, including

maritime education and training. GMU participated

very actively in these efforts, becoming one of the

leaders among maritime universities in the world,

exchanging with partners its observations, experience

and solutions in distance learning and e-learning.

The GMU is active member of International

Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU). On 13-

14 January, 2021 will be organized IAMU Webinar:

MET during the COVID-19. This webinar is jointly

organized by the Academic Affairs Committee (AAC)

under chairmanship Prof. Adam Weintrit, Chairman

of IAMU’s AAC and the Secretariat of IAMU for

member universities to exchange experiences on

Maritime Education and Training (MET) during the

COVID-19 and to explore a “new normal” in MET.

The following topics are scheduled:

− Online/distance teaching and assessments,

− Delivery methods of practical aspects (simulator,

face-to-face training) at university,

− Challenges in on-board training programme, and

− New normal in MET.

The main objectives are the following:

− to share the experiences on Maritime Education

and Training during COVID-19 with member

universities

− to give an opportunity to build future networking

among academic staffs of member universities

9 CONCLUSIONS

The experience of the Gdynia Maritime University in

the face of the challenges of the modern world is

based primarily on maritime education in a broad

sense - on the active participation of the University's

representatives in the co-creation, modification and

full implementation of the STCW convention, as well

as on flexible adaptation of specialties and academic

programs to the European and national Qualifications

Framework and for the needs of the global and local

labour market. Secondly, in the maritime area - we

are basically oriented to the problems of maritime

1028

transport, and their main emphasis is on the

implementation of new technologies, effective and

reliable technical and organizational solutions that

are user-friendly and environment-friendly, such as

green shipping, development of e-navigation concept,

offshore technology, renewable energy, MASS

(Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship), reduction of

gases emissions, etc.

Figure 12. Gdynia Maritime University, The Faculty of

Navigation is celebrating the 100th Anniversary of GMU

Our main goal is the analysis of and the

consequences resulting from the present challenges

that the maritime universities face, as well as the

multi‐aspects discussion of some ways and solutions

based on the Gdynia Maritime University’s

experience, how to overcome these challenges. The

presented approach deals with two domains,

maritime education and marine transport–based

research, respectively.

Figure 13. The Faculty of Navigation in the summer season

Figure 14. The Faculty of Navigation in the winter season

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Mindykowski J., Charchalis A., Przybyłowski P., Weintrit

A. 2012. Maritime education and research to face the

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Mindykowski J., Charchalis A., Przybyłowski P., Weintrit

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Mindykowski J., Charchalis A., Przybyłowski P., Weintrit

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Figure 15. Gdynia Maritime University, The Faculty of Navigation